For the first time this season, Michelin will be supplying the MotoGP™ teams with a full range of asymmetric Power Slick tyres to meet the demands of the HJC Helmets Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland – as they also get set for the first ever FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup weekend.
The Sachsenring is an anti-clockwise circuit that puts huge stresses on the left-hand side of the tyre, with the circuit having 10 left corners compared to just three right. This means the official MotoGP™ tyre supplier have brought an entire asymmetric slick range, with all front and rears featuring a hard-left side, with the right being a much softer compound as the riders need to get heat in that side as quick as possible.
The German GP, despite being held during summer, isn’t shy to a bit of wet weather. The Michelin Power Rain tyres will be available in soft and medium, with just the rear having an asymmetric design.
It’s an exciting weekend for the entire paddock as we finally get to see the 18 MotoE™ riders out on track for their opening three days of competitive action. Michelin are the official tyre supplier for the electric Championship and because the races will only last for around 15 minutes, Michelin will supply just one tyre compound for every MotoE™ weekend.
Developed specifically for the Energica Ego Corsa bikes, the tyres available for the inaugural race will be medium front, which has been developed with similar characteristics to the existing MotoGP™ tyres, whilst the rear will be a soft compound and is a derivative of Michelin’s successful commercial-based Superbike tyre. If wet conditions should arrive a soft symmetric front and an extra-soft asymmetric – with a harder left-hand-side – rear tyre will be available, which give high amounts of confidence and grip in the premier class.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin Motorsport Two-Wheel Manager: “This is going to be a very busy weekend for all at Michelin as we have the very first MotoE race alongside the MotoGP. As far as MotoGP is concerned, we know the requirements of this track, it is short and is also one of the slowest of the year, but it places a huge amount of demands on the left side of the tyre. We bring a specific compound to Germany to cope with this and also for the weather. It is one of the tracks where you never know what to expect and it changes quickly, so we need to make a range of tyres that work in all conditions.
“It will be very interesting to see the first MotoE race, we have done a lot of testing and developed a range of tyres specifically suited to these machines, so it is now time to see them used in the field of competition. Michelin is delighted to participate in this new challenge as a technology partner, as it has a history of choosing projects that will improve mobility and make it safer, more economical and more environmentally friendly for all, and we see MotoE as a perfect platform to enable Michelin to be involved in fully electric motorcycles on a very visible worldwide stage.”